CCSD Earns High Marks from State for Financial Efficiency!

CCSD Earns High Marks from State for Financial Efficiency!

The Cherokee County School District has earned high marks from the State for its financial efficiency!

The State’s Financial Efficiency Star Rating system measures school district’s spending per student in relation to those students’ academic performance according to the College and Career Ready Performance Index. Ratings range from a half a star to five stars, which is the highest possible.

The Cherokee County School District has earned 4.5 stars, which is not only an increase from 2017’s rating of 4, but also is among the best ratings in the State! Only nine school districts, including CCSD, of the 180 districts in Georgia earned a 4.5, and only three earned a 5. The rating earned by CCSD also is tied for the best among metro Atlanta county school districts!

“Our School Board is known for its strong financial stewardship, our educators are known for their determination to help every student succeed, and these ratings back up that well-deserved reputation,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “Despite the financial challenges of continued State austerity budget cuts and rising healthcare and benefits costs, we remain committed to keeping our focus on the classroom and using our taxpayers’ investment in our community’s future wisely.”

The State’s new rankings also show the CCSD’s average per-pupil spending of $7,949 is among the lowest in Georgia. Of the 180 school districts in Georgia, only 21 spend less… putting CCSD in the top 15% for conservative spending.

In addition to district scores, the Department of Education and Governor’s Office of Student Achievement this year published ratings for individual schools. Those schools with higher rates of poverty and which qualify for additional funding through the federal Title I program earn lower ratings due to the formula used.

“Parents should not be misled by these lower scores,” Dr. Hightower said of the ratings earned by CCSD’s Title I schools. “We invest more in these schools and the academic gains come more slowly, but those gains are worth every extra minute and every extra dollar. These children, who face the greatest challenges and are the most at risk in our community, must not be left behind.”